The Whiteside Forum presented “Think Global, Act Local: Agriculture” on Thursday January 24, 2013, in the Program Room of the Odell Public Library, 307 S. Madison Street, Morrison, IL. The evening began at 6:30 p.m. with guest speaker Don Beswick of Morrison.
Don is an officer at Community State Bank, Fulton branch, as Vice President of Ag and Commercial Lending; owns two businesses; grew up on the family farm. Along with his wife Peggy, Don owns and operates Bes-Wick Homebuilders Ltd., building ag, commercial and residential buildings, and also Appraisal Options, offering Iowa and Illinois licensed appraisers of residential, ag, commercial, special, and condemnation properties.
As an agriculture lender for 41 years, he addressed how exports impact our County and State and the world agriculture economy. He noted we are very fortunate to have a strong agriculture system, without big deflation. “Farming in on the verge of being as good as it’s been,” he added.
Whiteside County has a population of 58,380, and 21,500 (37%) live in rural areas. There are 1132 farms who plant 12 million acres of corn. Illinois harvests 14.8% of the United States corn crop: 40 million bushels at $7 a bushel is a substantial “money crop.” ADM and Cargill are the major food processors.
All Forum events are free and open to the public. If you are interested in discussing local and global issues, inviting and listening to experts for different points-of-view, and want to share with your community, you are also encouraged to join our group.
For more information or questions contact Marc Adami, 815-772-4949. ardami@mchsi.com.
Future Events:
- “Think Global, Act Local: Transportation,” Thursday, February 28, 6:30 p.m., in the Program Room of the Odell Public Library
- “Think Global, Act Local: Work and the World Economy,” Friday, April 19, 7:00 registration, 7:30 p.m. program starts, in the Community Room of the Odell Public Library with Poet, Editor, Economist Dr. Jannett Highfill of Bradley University.